Anfassen

Anfassen is a German verb meaning to touch or to handle deliberately. It can denote physical contact with objects, as in Bitte fassen Sie das Exponat nicht an (Please do not touch the exhibit). The term is also used metaphorically to mean addressing or dealing with a topic, as in Wir müssen dieses Problem anfassen (We need to tackle this problem). The verb is separable in the present and past tenses; the prefix an- detaches in conjugation.

Conjugation and forms: in present tense the forms are ich fasse an, du fasst an, er/sie/es fasst an, wir fassen an, ihr fasst an, sie fassen an. The simple past is formed with appropriate auxiliary, often habe oder hat, depending on the tense and construction, e.g., ich habe den Knopf angefasst. The past participle is angefasst.

Noun form and related terms: the noun das Anfassen refers to the act of touching or handling something. It is common in contexts such as museums or safety instructions to distinguish between actions that are allowed or prohibited, e.g., Das Anfassen von Geräten ist untersagt. The adjective anfassen or anfassbar is used in the sense of tangible or touchable; freundlich a product may be described as anfassbar to emphasize its physical presence.

Usage notes: Anfassen conveys intentional contact and is broader than berühren (to touch lightly) or anfassen in the figurative sense. It appears in everyday speech, manuals, signage, and discussions about interaction with objects, people, or topics.